Bob M Posted March 26, 2007 Share #1 Posted March 26, 2007 Hi guys, is this M6 scabbard an cheap fake or an ultra rare maker which no one has ever heard off? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Robinson Posted March 26, 2007 Share #2 Posted March 26, 2007 L & C was a maker of the M6 knife scabbard in 1943. It's one of the less common makers. So is it legit? From what I can see in that pic it looks OK but can't say for sure....can you post more pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob M Posted March 26, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted March 26, 2007 It's an eBay auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-WWII-1943-M3-M6-L...1QQcmdZViewItem I have never seen this type of color on M6 leather scabbards.... Thought they were dark brown. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted March 26, 2007 Share #4 Posted March 26, 2007 Hi guys, is this M6 scabbard an cheap fake or an ultra rare maker which no one has ever heard off? Bob L&C = Lyon and Coulson--one of the six makers: 1. Viner Bros. Shoe Co. 2. Moose River Shoe Co. 3. Lyon and Coulson 4. Service Boot and Leggins Co., Inc. 5. Milwaukee Saddlery Co. 6. Barwood Manufacturing Co. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Robinson Posted March 26, 2007 Share #5 Posted March 26, 2007 I just looked at the pics and, yes, they really were that creamy tan color when new. You just don't see them like this very often. No flaws jumped out at me but I have to admit I've not handled that many M6's and only one that was close to be this nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob M Posted March 26, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted March 26, 2007 This is my M6 scabbard: I like this color better then the creamy one showed above. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfryar44 Posted March 26, 2007 Share #7 Posted March 26, 2007 It's very similar to the one in my collection. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...p?showtopic=690 Bfryar44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted April 1, 2007 Share #8 Posted April 1, 2007 I saw the auction closed early.I have an M6 in similiar condition.Things I have noticed are some of the repos(and very good ones I admit)do not use the correct style of 4 in the 1943.The repos use an open 4 where all the WW2 ones are closed.Also have noticed they add periods between the M and 6 (U.S.M.6.).All mine and one I have seen are marked U.S.M6 The originals will usually have eight throat stapels on most models.I have seen the Moose Co vary with 7 to 10 staples.The plate on the tip is a galvanized steel.Just some obsevations,hope this helps. RON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest saddler Posted May 19, 2007 Share #9 Posted May 19, 2007 On a slightly related topic - whats the story about the staples used by 3 of the M6 makers?? I have heard very mixed reports on their origin - but noticed that they same "daimond" or "coffin" (for want of a better description) staple are also found on the inside lid of the Binocular case for the WW2 M17 Binoculars I am trying to find out more about the M6 scabbards - even as far as the MIL_SPEC data - but cannot seem to get much detail at all Any help would be appreciated jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted May 19, 2007 Share #10 Posted May 19, 2007 According to Frank Trzaska, the "staples" were really laces for holding leather machinery drive belts together, and they were installed to prevent the sharp knife edges from slicing the throat of the sheath when the knife was withdrawn or replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Apathy Posted May 19, 2007 Share #11 Posted May 19, 2007 Saddler & Gunbarrel, reading your two posts it appears that you are both talking about different staples. Saddler is enquiring about the spaced out staples along the side edges, and gunbarrel is referring to the line of staples across the throat of the scabbard. It is possible that both staples originate from the joining together of leather drive belts for machinery. As I worked in tailoring when I first left school then I saw these staples laying around unused in the machinery rooms of the tailors. The single staples down the side of the scabbard were used in the twenties, thirties and into the forties for joining the ends together of round leather belts for sewing machines. The line of joined staples I remember seeing in flat lengths ( maybe 12 inches ) which could be chopped to size for whatever width of flat belt used to drive looms in the process of weaving material. All these staples were made redundant when rubber drive belts came into use. Cheers ( Lewis ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted May 20, 2007 Share #12 Posted May 20, 2007 Lewis, Thank you--you are absolutely right. I don't know how I read over the words "diamonds, or coffin"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest saddler Posted May 21, 2007 Share #13 Posted May 21, 2007 Hi Guys - thanks for the input - esp Lewis... I have managed to find out about the "Lacing strips" for the mouth of the M6 - they ARE indeed 12" long & are still made today Its still a problem trying to get a DEFINITE answer on the edge staples though!! I have also heard that these too were used to join industrial belting - never heard the sewing machine belt theory before - not sure if they are strong enough for that one... The fact that the SAME staples are also found in the WW2 binocular case to me means they would have been an "off the shelf" product - just who's shelf is the million dollar question Further input would be welcome - as I have only been trying to solve this one for about 15 or so years.... Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace Posted May 21, 2007 Share #14 Posted May 21, 2007 I can relate to the theory about the machinery drivebelts. When I was working maintaince in a cardboard factory, these staples were all around, and frequently used for the belts in the machines. So yes, these are still used to this day. If it would be interesting, I could try to find out who supplies these to the machine shop at the factory. Maybe this could shed some more light? Regards Stijn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted May 22, 2007 Share #15 Posted May 22, 2007 There are two companies that make them that I know of. One is Alligator Lacing and I can't recall the name of the second company. You might try doing a Google search for McMaster-Carr and once you get to their catalog search for belt lacing. You can do the same thing using: Applied Industrial Technologies or Motion Industries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilko1 Posted May 22, 2007 Share #16 Posted May 22, 2007 Hi Guys - thanks for the input - esp Lewis... I have managed to find out about the "Lacing strips" for the mouth of the M6 - they ARE indeed 12" long & are still made today Its still a problem trying to get a DEFINITE answer on the edge staples though!! I have also heard that these too were used to join industrial belting - never heard the sewing machine belt theory before - not sure if they are strong enough for that one... The fact that the SAME staples are also found in the WW2 binocular case to me means they would have been an "off the shelf" product - just who's shelf is the million dollar question Further input would be welcome - as I have only been trying to solve this one for about 15 or so years.... Jon I take it Jon your looking to repro the m6 for the re-enactment market. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest saddler Posted May 22, 2007 Share #17 Posted May 22, 2007 I take it Jon your looking to repro the m6 for the re-enactment market. Dave. Hi Dave - yes - that WAS the plan! Or at least I thought it would be good to do when I was re-enacting myself in the late 80's - so my maths is a bit out & I have been trying to sort this out for about 20 years now I have everything ready to go now apart from the staples Further thanks also to Craig & Stijn for their input too Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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